Cape Portland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luemerrernanner / Cape Portland Tasmania
Luemerrernanner / Cape Portland Location in Tasmania
Postcode(s)	7264
LGA(s)	Dorset Council

The Cape Portland area is an important site for Cape Barren geese

Cape Portland, also known as Luemerrernanner / Cape Portland, is a special place in Tasmania, Australia. It's both a landform (a cape) and a small area where people live (a locality). A cape is a piece of land that sticks out into the sea. This cape points west into a place called Ringarooma Bay. The Ringarooma River flows into this bay, which then connects to the wider Tasman Sea.

The name Cape Portland was given by Matthew Flinders in 1798. He was exploring the coast of Tasmania in a small ship called the Norfolk. He named it after the Duke of Portland. Another explorer, George Bass, was with him on this journey. The local Aboriginal people, the Pyemmairre, have their own name for this area: Tebrakunna.

A narrow stretch of water called Banks Strait separates Cape Portland from Clarke Island. Clarke Island is part of a group of islands known as the Furneaux Group, located to the north.

History of Cape Portland

Cape Portland has a simple history. A Post Office opened here on April 6, 1865. At first, it was a "receiving house," meaning it collected mail. It continued to serve the community until it closed in 1918.

Wildlife and Birds

Cape Portland is a very important place for birds. It's part of a large area, about 67 square kilometers (26 square miles), called the Cape Portland Important Bird Area. This area includes the cape itself, nearby land, a strip of coastline, and Swan Island.

Special Birds of the Area

This bird area is home to many different bird species. It's especially important because it supports more than 1% of the world's population of certain birds, including:

• Cape Barren goose
• Chestnut teal
• The hooded plover, which is considered near threatened (meaning it could become endangered if we don't protect it).

Other birds like pied oystercatchers and double-banded plovers are also often found here in large numbers. Fairy terns also come to this area to build their nests and raise their young.

Notable People

A person named Dora Jeanette Turner was born in Cape Portland on January 8, 1888. She became an important local teacher and educator.